Makeup of the tubular structures of a stock culture of Act. roseoflavus var. roseofungini

The methods of spectral analysis, spectrophotometry, fluorescence and thin-layer chromatography were used for the study of the composition of the tubular structures of the initial culture of Act. roseoflavus var. roseofungini. It was found that they contained a complex of antibiotics (roseofungin and its analogs), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Si and a significant amount of the third non-identified component in the antibiotic complex.     

X-RAY PHASE ANALYSIS OF THE TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF Act. roseoflavus var. roseofungini

Crystallinity of tubular structures of Act. roseoflavus var. roseofungini obtained from both the initial culture and the dedifferentiating fructose mutant was shown with the method of roentgen-phase analysis (the difractometric method with ionization registration of reflection)     

Structure of cell-wall teichoic acids in Streptomyces roseoflavus var. roseofungini and its Nocardia-like variant

The structure of teichoic acids was studied in the cell walls of Streptomyces roseoflavus var. roseofungini 1128 and its Nocardia-like variant 1-68 differing from the parent strain in the absence of a spore-forming aerial mycelium as well as by the fragmentation of hyphae in the substrate mycelium. The teichoic acids of the both cultures consist of a 1,3-poly(glycerophosphate) chain containing 11-13 glycerolphosphate residues which have glucosamynl units and lysine groups bound through an ester bond. These teichoic acids contain no O-acetyl groups, in contrast to the glyceroteichoic acids of actinomycetes studied earlier. The teichoic acid from the cell wall of the variant has less lysine and glucosamine then the parent strain. The content of teichoic acid in the cell wall of the parent culture is 4.5 times greater than in the wall of the variant.     

Actinomyces globispororoseus var. granaticus var. nov., a new producer of granaticins

Actinomycete LIA-0830 was most close by its morphological and cultural features tc Act. globispororoseus. Jet it differed from the latter in the physiological and antibioti properties. Actinomycete LIA-0830 differed from the known granaticin- and granaticin B-producing organisms by its morphological, cultural and physiological properties. On the basis of these data actinomycete LIA-0830 was classified as Actinomyces globispororoseus var. granaticus var. nov. The culture produced 2 antibiotics: granaticin and granaticin B.     

Actinomyces pneumonicus var. altamicus var. nov., a producer of new altamycin antibiotics

Actinomycete LIA-0788 was isolated from a soil sample. By its morphological and cultural features the actinomycete was close to Actinomyces pneumonicus and differed from it in the antibiotic properties. This provided classification of actinomycete LIA-0788 as Act. pneumonicus var. altamicus var nov. The culture produced altamycins A and B, new antibiotics. Their physico-chemical characteristics is presented.     

Ultrastructural changes in the mycelia of Actinomyces hygroscopicus var. var. enhygrus--a proteolytic enzyme producer--during submerged fermentation

Ultrastructural changes were found to occur in the mycelium of Actinomyces hygroscopicus, strain 33x, which produced an exocellular proteolytic enzyme during submerged fermentation, in both laboratory and semiindustrial conditions (in 100-1 fermenters). In the course of the enzyme accumulation, numerous vacuoles appeared in the hyphae, some hyphae became wider, and the cell walls were more loose. The greatest structural changes were found in the intracytoplasmic membrane systems. The ultrastructural changes of the mycelium are not presumably connected with the accumulation of the enzyme, but are the result of the differentiation of cellular structures during aging of the cells and their transition to the stage of autolysis.     

Extracellular complementation and the identification of additional genes involved in aerial mycelium formation in Streptomyces coelicolor

Morphogenesis in the bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor involves the formation of a lawn of hair-like aerial hyphae on the colony surface that stands up in the air and differentiates into chains of spores. bld mutants are defective in the formation of this aerial mycelium and grow as smooth, hairless colonies. When certain pairs of bld mutants are grown close to one another on rich sporulation medium, they exhibit extracellular complementation such that one mutant restores aerial mycelium formation to the other. The extracellular complementation relationships of most of the previously isolated bld mutants placed them in a hierarchy of extracellular complementation groups. We have screened for further bld mutants with precautions intended to maximize the discovery of additional genes. Most of the 50 newly isolated mutant strains occupy one of three of the previously described positions in the hierarchy, behaving like bldK, bldC, or bldD mutants. We show that the mutations in some of the strains that behave like bldK are bldK alleles but that others fall in a cluster at a position on the chromosome distinct from that of any known bld gene. We name this locus bldL. By introducing cloned genes into the strains that exhibit bldC or bldD-like extracellular complementation phenotypes, we show that most of these strains are likely to contain mutations in genes other than bldC or bldD. These results indicate that the genetic control of aerial mycelium formation is more complex than previously recognized and support the idea that a high proportion of bld genes are directly or indirectly involved in the production of substances that are exchanged between cells during morphological differentiation.     

A small glucagonoma of the pancreas with evident ductular and tubular structures

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our department for assessment of a tumor of the pancreas found incidentally on abdominal ultrasonography. Examination revealed a hypovascular 1-cm sized tumor in the body of the pancreas. Surgical examination revealed that the tumor was solitary and located in the pancreas body, with no invasion to the adjacent organs iof lymph node involvement. Distal pancreatectomy, preserving the spleen, was performed. Histologically, the tumor was a glucagonoma with evident ductular and tubular structures, suggesting that its site of origin was ductal epithelia.     

New diterpenes from the heartwood of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana

OBJECTIVE: The authors performed an analysis of their published chromosome 18 linkage data on 28 families in which there was bipolar disorder to test the potential of comorbid panic disorder to define a genetic subtype of bipolar disorder. METHOD: Families ascertained through probands with bipolar I disorder were stratified into three groups based on a history of panic disorder, panic attacks, or no panic attacks in the probands. Multipoint nonparametric linkage analysis was performed on data from bipolar I and II family members in each group. RESULTS: Linkage scores for five consecutive 18q marker loci were highest in the families of the probands with panic disorder and lowest for the families of the probands without panic attacks. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the authors' previously reported clinical hypothesis of a genetic subtype of bipolar disorder identified by comorbid panic disorder. The hypothesis merits prospective testing.     

Cucumisin like protease from the sarcocarp of Benincasa hispida var. Ryukyu

A protease has been purified from the sarcocarp of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. var. Ryukyu by two steps of chromatography. Its M(r) was estimated by SDS-PAGE to be about 67,000. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, but not by EDTA and cysteine protease inhibitors. The substrate having alanine at the position of P1 was the best among the Ala-Ala-Pro-X-pNAs (X = Ala, Lys, Phe, Glu, and diaminopropionic acid (Dap)). The N-terminal sequence of the first 33 residues was determined and 25 of the residues agreed with that of cucumisin [EC 3.4.21.25], a protease from the sarcocarp of melon fruit (Cucumis melo L. var. Prince). The results indicated that the B. hispida protease is a cucumisin like serine protease.     

Assembly of the cell division protein FtsZ into ladder-like structures in the aerial hyphae of Streptomyces coelicolor

In the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor, the cell division protein FtsZ is required for the conversion of multinucleoidal aerial hyphae into chains of uninucleoidal spores, although it is not essential for viability. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we have shown that FtsZ assembles into long, regularly spaced, ladder-like arrays in developing aerial hyphae, with an average spacing of about 1.3 microm. Within individual hyphae, ladder formation was relatively synchronous and extended for distances over 100 microm. These ladders were present only transiently, decreasing in intensity as chromosomes separated into distinct nucleoids and disappearing upon the completion of septum formation. Evidence from the overall intensity of immunofluorescence staining suggested that ladder formation was regulated in part at the level of the accumulation and degradation of FtsZ within individual aerial hyphae. Finally, FtsZ ladder formation was under developmental control in that long arrays of FtsZ rings could not be detected in certain so-called white mutants (whiG, whiH and whiB), which are blocked in spore formation. The assembly of FtsZ into ladders represents the earliest known molecular manifestation of the process of spore formation, and its discovery provides insight into the role of whi genes in the conversion of aerial hyphae into chains of spores. We have also described a novel use of a cell wall-staining technique to visualize apical tip growth in vegetatively growing hyphae.     

PC-assisted three-dimensional description of organs containing tubular structures, applied on the epididymis of the rat

AIM: Although the relationship between the dose delivered to adjacent organs (urinary bladder and rectum) and the frequency and severity of treatment complications has been reported in many series, the factors influencing pelvic dose distribution are not well defined. The aim of the study was to assess retrospectively the influence of the size of cervical cancer brachytherapy applicators (ovoids and uterine tandems) on pelvic dose distribution and the impact of various therapy-dependent factors on patient anatomy and on dose distribution in particular applications. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The subject of this study were 356 cervical cancer patients treated with Selectron LDR as a part of their radical radiotherapy. Analysed factors included preceding external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy applications, use of general anaesthesia for application and the system of pellet loading. RESULTS: Significant correlation was found between the size of applicators and doses to bladder, rectum and points B: larger vaginal applicators produced lower dose in bladder and rectum and higher dose in point B (all p < 0.0001), longer uterine tandems produced lower dose in rectum and higher dose in point B (both p < 0.0001). Significant decrease in the frequency of use of large applicators (ovoids: p < 0.0001, tandems: p = 0.055) and worsening of dose distribution, i.e. higher doses to critical organs (respectively: bladder p = 0.0012, rectum p = 0.02) and lower point B dose (p = 0.0001) were observed at consecutive brachytherapy applications. Similar situation occurred in patients, who received EBRT prior to brachytherapy (ovoids: p < 0.001, tandem: p = 0.04, bladder dose: p = 0.009, rectal dose: p = 0.073, point B dose: p = 0.059). Vaginal applicators were larger (p = 0.026) and the dose distribution was better (bladder: p = 0.023, rectum: p = 0.002, point B: p = 0.0001) in patients who had their insertions performed under general anaesthesia. The comparison of 2 consecutively used systems of pellet loading revealed more favourable dose distribution: lower dose for bladder (p = 0.014) and higher dose for point B (p < 0.0001) for the system, which utilised more sources in ovoids and in the distal part of the uterine tandem, in spite of more frequent use of smaller applicators in this group of patients. In multivariate analysis ovoid size was related to preceding external beam radiotherapy (p = 0.025). Uterine tandem length was dependent on the number of preceding intracavitary applications (p < 0.001) and preceding external beam radiotherapy (p = 0.007). Bladder dose was related to preceding brachytherapy (p = 0.011) and the pattern of pellet loading (p = 0.031). Rectal dose was dependent only on the use of general anaesthesia during application (p = 0.001) and point B dose was dependent on the pattern of pellet loading (p < 0.001) and marginally-on the use of preceding external beam radiotherapy (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study allow for identification of treatment-related factors determining pelvic dose distribution in cervical cancer brachytherapy and may potentially enable optimisation of this distribution in particular clinical situation.     

Chemical constituents from the aerial part of Epimedium brevicornum Maxim

Six flavonoids were isolated from the aerial part of Epimedium brevicornum and identified as baohuo side I, 2"' O-rhamnosyl icariside II, sagittatoside B, baohuoside II, ikarisoside F and ikarisoside C by means of UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FAB-MS spectral analysis, they were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

The use of transosseous osteosynthesis in treating fractures of the tubular bones]

Comparative analysis was performed of results of the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke, including 140 ones treated by means of hemodilution method (control group) and 40 patients treated with cerebrolysin (test group). Barolin's scale of the neurorehabilitation was used for the analysis of the results. Statistically significant results of rehabilitation were better in the test group. Improvement of the parameters characterizing social contacts, working activity and behaviour was more pronounced than an improvement of motor functions. Cerebrolysin had accelerating effect on restoration of damaged functions, by creating more stable basis for rehabilitation.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of phenyl propanoids from Coreopsis mutica var. mutica

The structures of three phenyl propanoids isolated from the aerial parts of Coreopsis mutica var. mutica were established by spectroscopic analysis as (-)-bornyl p-coumarate (1), (-)-bornyl ferulate (2), and (-)-bornyl caffeate (3). These compounds have been previously isolated from diverse sources. Their complete and assigned 1H- and 13C-NMR data together with an assessment of their anti-inflammatory activities are given.     

Wayfinding and toddlers' use of information from an aerial view of a maze.

Implemented a technique in 3 experiments with 104 9–25 mo old Ss to study the capacities of toddlers to mentally represent and coordinate multiple views of the spatial layout in a large locale. During the procedure, Ss were provided with an aerial view of a maze, returned to the ground, and then motivated to travel through the maze. To navigate a maze under these conditions requires that an observer mentally represent the layout of maze barriers and coordinate air and ground views of the maze. Results indicate that these capacities may not emerge until the end of the 2nd yr of life. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii from Eucalyptus camaldulensis in India

Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii has an ecological association with five Eucalyptus species: E. blakelyi, E. camaldulensis, E. gomphocephala, E. rudis, and E. tereticornis. After human infections due to C. neoformans var. gattii were diagnosed in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, India, a study was undertaken to investigate the association of C. neoformans var. gattii with Indian eucalypts, especially in the state of Punjab. A total of 696 specimens collected from E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora and E. tereticornis (hybrid) trees were examined for the presence of C. neoformans var. gattii. Flowers from two trees of E. camaldulensis in the Chak Sarkar forest and one from the village of Periana near the Ferozepur area yielded five isolates of C. neoformans var. gattii. The origin of the trees could be traced to Australia, thus providing evidence that the distribution of E. camaldulensis correlated with the distribution of human cryptococcosis cases caused by C. neoformans var. gattii in northern India.     

Computed tomography of the ethmoid labyrinth and adjacent structures]

Esthetic body contouring has become the most common esthetic surgical procedure since the advent of liposuction. The interest in this surgery led us to focus on the physiology of adipose tissue that behaves differently according to its localisation. Besides, a better knowledge of the anatomy of the subcutaneous tissue has helped us to treat the deep and superficial adipose deposits more effectively. Many technical refinements have been proposed in order to improve the results and decrease the risks. Local infiltration allows us to remove large amounts of fat with a minimal blood loss. Syringe aspiration is less traumatic and avoids the purchase of an expensive suction pump. However, although the technique of suction lipectomy looks simple, this procedure can induce important local complications (contour deformities, skin waves, ...) and general complications (pulmonary embolism, fat embolism, cardio-pulmonary decompensation). A rigorous technique, performed by a well trained surgeon in an adequate medical environment is essential to obtain the best results with suction lipectomy. In order to correct excesses of skin on the abdomen or the thighs after an important weight loss, skin excisions will be necessary. In there cases, the scars are often wide and sometimes difficult to hide.